The Editor,
It is not uncommon these days to read about some tragic automobile accident that has been caused or partly caused by speeding. We read that the police are planning on enforcing traffic laws and this is good. I'm surprised that speeding hasn't caused more accidents so I would like to tell you of an experiment I conducted recently which could prove my point:
At around 4 p.m. on a Sunday, I drove from Coquitlam to North Vancouver. I deliberately and precisely drove the speed limit but I noticed immediately that cars were passing me continuously. By the time I reached the Lonsdale turnoff in North Vancouver, I had counted 186 cars that raced passed me.
The route I took was along Barnet Highway to Hastings Street, and then to the Upper Levels Highway. The Barnet was the most interesting. It was not uncommon for cars to come flying up behind me and ride my bumper trying to get me to go faster. I wouldn't, so many drivers honked at me and often when they passed, the rude drivers would make rude gestures at me. The speed the cars were going had to well exceed 90 km/h.
Coming back to Coquitlam, I took the Upper Levels and then the freeway to the Cape Horn turnoff. I again kept right on the speed limit. It was now dark but that didn't stop 167 cars from racing past me, travelling at least 20 or 30 km/h faster than the posted speed limits.
I was also astonished to see two coach-type buses fly past me. And when one of them passed me, the bus driver blasted his horn and nearly drove me out of the lane. The two buses were travelling well over 90 to 95 km/h. The poor passengers on board!
What is it about people who feel speeding is an acceptable way of driving? Is it an ego thing? Is it the need for a person to feel that they can be above the law and that no one is going to tell them what to do? How many accidents and deaths will it take for people to take responsibility for their actions.
The next time you drive the Barnet or Upper Levels highways or the freeway, do your own survey. I'm sure you will be horrified.
Margaret Walker, Coquitlam
